Special program gives safe and warm Christmas to homeless vets

Published: Monday, December 24, 2012 at 3:41 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, December 24, 2012 at 7:11 p.m.

HOLLY HILL — Lorenzo Jones had a hard time finding a job after losing his position as a chef at a hotel in Daytona Beach.With no income, the former U.S. Navy seaman quickly found himself living in the streets and woods for seven months.

Last December, Jones was invited to the Homeless Veterans' Safe and Warm Christmas program at the Bikers/Americans For First Amendment Rights (B.F.F.A.R) establishment at 745 Ridgewood Ave.

There, Jones, 46, met other homeless veterans. With the assistance of B.F.F.A.R and American Legion Post 361 members, Jones was helped back on his feet and now works as a cook at B.F.F.A.R.

The two veterans organizations are holding their second annual Homeless Veterans' Safe and Warm Christmas program for homeless veterans. Last year the group helped 20 homeless veterans, some of whom they went in search for in the woods, said Eddie Colosimo, president and chief executive officer of B.F.F.A.R.

This year, if all the veterans who registered show up, 33 will be served, said Ray Simonetti, 1st vice commander of Post 361 in South Daytona.

"I think it's a great help for veterans who feel they have been forgotten by the government," Jones said, sporting a red and green elf's hat Monday. "It gives veterans a chance to meet and make a connection with other veterans who are in the same situation they are in."

The program finds veterans in need and provides them with a warm bed and hot shower Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Homeless veterans get haircuts, shaves and dinners for the two-day period, and sleep for two nights at the Fountain Inn and Suites, 749 Ridgewood Ave., Simonetti and Colosimo said.

The oldest veteran is 73 years old and others are in their 40s and 50s. This year, the group includes a veteran who served in Iraq, Simonetti said.

"This is fantastic," said Jon Sylvester, 57, as he got a shave and haircut from Donna Sweeney, a volunteer.

Sylvester, a U.S. Army and National Guard veteran, was a plumber by trade. The bad economy has made it hard for him to find a steady job, and losing his wallet with his ID has made it harder for jobs to come by. Sylvester has been homeless for two years, he said.

"They show that they really care," Sylvester said. "They have helped me with gigs here and there."

Most homeless veterans live in the woods, moving from place to place, hiding from the police who are always looking to kick them out of their camps, said Dennis St. Lawrence, the American Legion Post's chaplain. Many, though, have their VA cards or DD14 discharge paperwork.

"They have to hide in the woods to save whatever little possessions they have," St. Lawrence said. "On Christmas Eve and Christmas day, they get hot meals and a hotel room where they can sleep in peace."

The program also gives homeless veterans a chance to get back on their feet, said Don Lepore, the Veterans Affairs Chairman for American Legion Post. Of the 20 veterans served last year, seven have gained employment and/or are attending school to become employable, Lepore said.

"We are trying to end homelessness one veteran at a time," Lepore said.

After their dinners, haircuts, showers and nights at the hotel, the homeless veterans receive clothing, toiletries, blankets, food, tarps, camping equipment and military items such as sea bags, jackets and mess kits. In an open hall at the B.F.F.A.R on Ridgewood Avenue on Monday, at least 30 camouflage military backpacks, donated by the U.S. Department of Defense, were packed with sleeping bags and air mattresses.

"Only veterans can get these backpacks," Colosimo said. "All backpacks not given away will be returned to the (Department of Defense)."

Overall, the volunteers and the organizations make Christmas Eve and Christmas day safe for homeless veterans who enjoy buffet dinners, breakfasts and lunches, said Robert Fiaschi, a former U.S. Navy petty officer, now a cook at B.F.F.A.R.

"It (the program) lets them (homeless veterans) know that somebody cares," Fiaschi said. "These are people that need to know they are still part of this world, which they helped keep safe."

<p>HOLLY HILL &mdash; Lorenzo Jones had a hard time finding a job after losing his position as a chef at a hotel in Daytona Beach.With no income, the former U.S. Navy seaman quickly found himself living in the streets and woods for seven months. </p><p>Last December, Jones was invited to the Homeless Veterans' Safe and Warm Christmas program at the Bikers/Americans For First Amendment Rights (B.F.F.A.R) establishment at 745 Ridgewood Ave. </p><p>There, Jones, 46, met other homeless veterans. With the assistance of B.F.F.A.R and American Legion Post 361 members, Jones was helped back on his feet and now works as a cook at B.F.F.A.R. </p><p>The two veterans organizations are holding their second annual Homeless Veterans' Safe and Warm Christmas program for homeless veterans. Last year the group helped 20 homeless veterans, some of whom they went in search for in the woods, said Eddie Colosimo, president and chief executive officer of B.F.F.A.R. </p><p>This year, if all the veterans who registered show up, 33 will be served, said Ray Simonetti, 1st vice commander of Post 361 in South Daytona. </p><p>"I think it's a great help for veterans who feel they have been forgotten by the government," Jones said, sporting a red and green elf's hat Monday. "It gives veterans a chance to meet and make a connection with other veterans who are in the same situation they are in." </p><p>The program finds veterans in need and provides them with a warm bed and hot shower Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Homeless veterans get haircuts, shaves and dinners for the two-day period, and sleep for two nights at the Fountain Inn and Suites, 749 Ridgewood Ave., Simonetti and Colosimo said. </p><p>The oldest veteran is 73 years old and others are in their 40s and 50s. This year, the group includes a veteran who served in Iraq, Simonetti said. </p><p>"This is fantastic," said Jon Sylvester, 57, as he got a shave and haircut from Donna Sweeney, a volunteer. </p><p>Sylvester, a U.S. Army and National Guard veteran, was a plumber by trade. The bad economy has made it hard for him to find a steady job, and losing his wallet with his ID has made it harder for jobs to come by. Sylvester has been homeless for two years, he said. </p><p>"They show that they really care," Sylvester said. "They have helped me with gigs here and there." </p><p>Most homeless veterans live in the woods, moving from place to place, hiding from the police who are always looking to kick them out of their camps, said Dennis St. Lawrence, the American Legion Post's chaplain. Many, though, have their VA cards or DD14 discharge paperwork. </p><p>"They have to hide in the woods to save whatever little possessions they have," St. Lawrence said. "On Christmas Eve and Christmas day, they get hot meals and a hotel room where they can sleep in peace." </p><p>The program also gives homeless veterans a chance to get back on their feet, said Don Lepore, the Veterans Affairs Chairman for American Legion Post. Of the 20 veterans served last year, seven have gained employment and/or are attending school to become employable, Lepore said. </p><p>"We are trying to end homelessness one veteran at a time," Lepore said. </p><p>After their dinners, haircuts, showers and nights at the hotel, the homeless veterans receive clothing, toiletries, blankets, food, tarps, camping equipment and military items such as sea bags, jackets and mess kits. In an open hall at the B.F.F.A.R on Ridgewood Avenue on Monday, at least 30 camouflage military backpacks, donated by the U.S. Department of Defense, were packed with sleeping bags and air mattresses. </p><p>"Only veterans can get these backpacks," Colosimo said. "All backpacks not given away will be returned to the (Department of Defense)." </p><p>Overall, the volunteers and the organizations make Christmas Eve and Christmas day safe for homeless veterans who enjoy buffet dinners, breakfasts and lunches, said Robert Fiaschi, a former U.S. Navy petty officer, now a cook at B.F.F.A.R. </p><p>"It (the program) lets them (homeless veterans) know that somebody cares," Fiaschi said. "These are people that need to know they are still part of this world, which they helped keep safe."</p><p></p><p> </p><p>To donate clothing, rope, batteries, phone cards, propane, shoelaces and outdoor stoves, call Ray Simonetti at 386-589-1179 or drop donations off at American legion Post 361, 2648 S. Ridgewood Ave, South Daytona. Donations can also be made at B.F.F.A.R., 745 Ridgewood Ave., Holly Hill. Donors can call Eddie Colosimo at 386-316-7441.</p>